Earphone apparatus



March 19, 1957 L. P. FRIEDER ETAL EARPHONE APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed NOV. 6, 1952 A INVENTR Menard ATTORNEY March 19, 1957 P. FRIEDERETAL 2,786,102

EARPHONE APPARATUS Filed Nov. 6, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS ZmuardZFhedzr TTORNEY March 1957 L. P. FRIEDER ETAL 2,786,102

EARPHONE APPARATUS s Shets-Sheet a Filed Nov. 6, 1952 INVENIORS J. firedHim 001mm y Wklier 5.

ATTORNEY EARPHONE APPARATUS Leonard P. Frieder, Great Neck, and WalterS. Finken, Brooklyn, N. Y.; said Finken assignor to said FriederApplication November 6, 1952, Serial No. 319,134

7 Claims. (Cl. 179-456) The present invention relates to earphones, andparticularly to apparatus for supporting earphones on the head so as toinhibit access to the ear by sound waves from external sources.

The present invention is particularly intended for use in connectionwith headgear or helmets of the types shown and claimed in our copendingapplications, Serial Nos. 201,904, filed December 21, 1950, and 292,824,filed June 11, 1952, now Patents Nos. 2,739,309 and 2,739,- 310respectively, granted March 27, 1956. The headgear structures theredisclosed include a relatively still protec tive helmet enclosing thehead but spaced therefrom by means of an internal supporting harnesswhich engages the head of the wearer. Such headgear are commonly worn byaviators and others who are sometimes required to wear earphonessimultaneously. The earphones commonly worn with such headgearstructures in the past have been more or less conventional earphones,mounted on the head of the wearer, and independent of the headgear andits supporting harness. Since the supporting harness of the headgear isquite complex, the earphone supporting structure necessary forconventional earphones, when used in conjunction with such a headgear,results in the simultaneous use of two separate supporting structures onthe head of the wearer. Each of these structures is rather bulky and atleast some portions of each structure must engage the wearers headclosely. The resulting arrangement is uncomfortable to the wearer, bothbecause of the weight and the confining efiects of the two supportingstructures and also because of attendant local increases in temperature.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide animproved earphone structure of the type described Which is adaptable formounting on a headgear of the type mentioned above. Another object is toprovide an earphone structure in which the sound emitting unit is spacedfrom the wearers ear, and including a novel, flexible shell structureenclosing the space between the sound emitting unit and the wearers car.

A further object is to provide an earphone supporting structure of thetype described which is adjustable with respect to the headgear.

A further object is to provide an earphone supporting structure of thetype described including improved sound barrier structures forinhibiting access to the car by sound waves from external sources.

A further object is to provide improved venting arrangements for theinterior of the shell structure to equal ize pressures between itsinterior and exterior attenuating sound waves passing through the vents.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention are attained byproviding an earphone support including a base portion having a recessadapted to receive a sound emitting unit and a shell portion encirclingthe sound emitting unit and projecting divergently therefrom to anextremity Whose periphery is contoured to encircle the ear of onelistening to the earphone.

The base portion of the support is also provided with atent a flexibleadjustable plate by which the base portion may be attached to the insideof a helmet or other headgear structure.

Sound barrier chambers are provided on the side of the sound emitterunit away from the head and may also be provided around the entireperiphery of the shell structure. The shell structure is preferablyconstructed of rubber or other flexible material and is provided withreinforcing ribs extending longitudinally from the base portion to thehead engaging periphery, and also with a reinforcing rib extendingaround the head engaging periphery.

Small apertures are provided in the shell structure to allowequalization of the internal and external pressures. Where a peripheralsound barrier chamber is used, pressure equalizing vents may be providedin one or both walls of that chamber. The pressure equalizing vents maybe provided with vibrissa-like filaments projecting into the vents fromthe surrounding material. These filaments aid in preventing the passageof compression waves, such as sound waves.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent froma consideration of the following specification, taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a bottom view of a helmet in which an earphone structureconstructed in accordance with the present invention has been mounted;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of a single earphone structure and itssupporting plate, shown mounted in place on a helmet, only a fragmentaryportion of which is shown;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line III-Ill of Fig.2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 3, showing a modified form ofearphone supporting structure;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevational View on an enlarged scale, showingthe details of one of the pressure equalizing vents with its associatedvibrissafilame'nts;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line VIVI of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view similar to Figs. 3 and 4, showing anothermodification; and

Fig. 8 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 3, showing an additionalpadding arrangement which may be used.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view, taken on line IX-IX of Fig. 10 showinganother modified form of earphone supporting structure; and

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the structure of Fig. 9.

Figs. 1 t0 3 There is shown in Fig. l a helmet l of the type shown inour copending application, Serial No. 292,824, now Patent No. 2,739,310,previously mentioned. This helmet includes an outer casing and aninternal harness for supporting the helmet on the wearers head. Thisharness includes an encircling band 2, diametrical straps 3 which extendacross the top of the wearers head, and flexible elements, here shownsimply as bands or loops 4, which connect the head band 2 to the outercasing 1 and which are preferably constructed to hold the band in spacedrelation inwardly of the shell.

In Fig. 1 there are shown two earphones, generally indicated at 5,mounted on the helmet 1 and projecting inwardly therefrom. This earphonestructure is shown in more detail in Figs. 2 and 3 and includes a baseportion 5 having a recess 6:.- adapted to receive a sound emitter unit,which may be any conventional earphone unit such as one of themagnetically vibrated diaphragm type, one such being shown at 7. Thebase portion 6 is formed of flexible resilient material such as rubber,so that the sound emitter unit 7 may be pushed forcibly into the recess6a, whereupon a flange 6b of the base portion holds it in place.Suitable holes, not shown, may be provided in the base portion 6 forpassage of wires connected to the sound emitter '7 (see hole d of Fig.4, described below). Projecting outwardly from the base portion 6 towardthe ear of a listener is a shell 8, also constructed of flexiblematerial such as rubber and provided with longitudinal reinforcing ribs8a. The shell 8 diverges in an outwardly curving direction away from thebase portion 6 and has its outer periphery contoured to enclose awearers ear, as illustrated at 8c. Thus the rim 80 may be oval-shapedand somewhat eccentric of the central axis of the receiver unit 7.

The base portion 6 is provided with a flange 60 at its end farthest fromthe wearers ear.

A flexible mounting plate 9 encircles the base portion 6, beingapertured to fit the base portion snugly. The plate 9 is preferablyformed of leather or other readily flexible material, which issufficiently stiff to frictionally engage the periphery of the baseportion 6 and hold it against rotation. The plate 9 carries a pair ofsnap elements 10 which cooperate with mating snap elements mounted onthe helmet 1 and not shown in the drawing. The earphone supportincluding the base portion 6 and the shell 8 may be rotated on the plate9 by virtue of the frictional engagement between the plate 9 and thebase portion 6, so as to correct for various angles at which the helmetmay be mounted on the wearers head.

The shell 8 may be provided with pressure equalizing vents 801, throughwhich the pressure inside the shell 8 is allowed to equalize with theoutside pressure. The axial length of the shell between its innerperiphery 8c and the base portion 6 is preferably more than enough totake up the spacing between the helmet and the wearers ears.Consequently, the shell will normally be compressed axially when in use,so that the inner periphery fits snugly against the head of the wearer.The shell is thereby effective to exclude substantially all externalsound waves, so that the wearer hears only the sounds issuing from theemitter unit 7.

In the base portion 6, in between the emitter receiving recess 6a andthe flange 60 is formed a sound barrier chamber 6d, which is simply anempty chamber in the base portion 6. Barrier chamber 6d is effective toattenuate substantially all sound waves transmitted through the helmet1, which might otherwise be transmitted through the earphone supportingstructure to the ear of the wearer. In the device shown, the barrierchamber is enclosed by front and rear walls 6e, 6 of rubber, integralwith the remainder of the earphone structure, which as stated is made offlexible and preferably elastic material. The front wall 6e may be therear'wall of the receiver-holding recess 6a.

Figs. 4 to 6 These figures illustrate a modified form of earphonesupport again made of rubber or other elastic, flexible material andincluding a base portion 10 having a recess 10a for a sound emitter unitand another recess 10b which serves as a barrier chamber for sound wavestransmitted through the helmet or other supporting structure. Therecesses are preferably separated by a thin wall 160 of elastic materialintegral with the remainder of the support.

The side of recess 10a is provided with one or more holes 10d throughwhich wires for the sound emitter unit may be threaded.

A shell 11 is mounted on the base portion 10. The internal structure ofthe shell 11 is substantially the same as that of the shell 8 of Fig. 3.Around the shell 11 is provided an outer wall 12 which, together withthe shell 11, defines an annular sound barrier chamber 12a.

The shell 11 is provided with reinforcing ribs 110, similar to thereinforcing ribs 8a of Fig. 3. Pressure equalizing vents 12b and 11b areprovided in the outer wall 12 and the shell 11. As illustrated in Figs.5 and 6, either or both of these vents may be provided withvibrissa-like filaments 13. These filaments are simply fibers of nylonor other suitable material, which are sewn into the structure of theshell 11 and cut off to the lengths shown, with their free endsprojecting into the vents 11b. These filaments have a sound deadeningfunction, particularly effective in the case of sound waves having ahigh rate of attack, such as sound waves resulting from explosions.

It has been found effective in some cases to omit either the pressureequalizing vents 11b or the vents 12b or both,

' so as to maintain a higher pressure inside the shell 11 than existsoutside. Since the helmet and earphones are normally put on by theaviator at ground level, the periphery of the shell 11, closely engagingthe head of the wearer, will trap air at ground level pressure in itsinterior. As the aviator goes up to higher altitudes, the air outsidebecomes less dense and is therefore a less effective transmitter ofsound. By omitting pressure equalizing vents, the air inside the shellis maintained at a higher density and is thus a better transmitter ofsounds passing between the emitter unit and the car, while sounds fromexternal sources are transmitted through the air of lower densityoutside, which is a less eflicient sound transmitter. It is assumed thatin the situation just described the aviator is also preferably using abreathing mask of such character as to tend to prevent loss of pressure,from the shell 11, through an internal route.

Fig. 7

The modification shown in this figure includes a deflection chamber 14which is formed in the wall of a shell portion 15. The deflectionchamber 14 includes an outwardly diverging portion 14a attached to thebase portion 10 and an immediately adjacent outwardly convergent portion14b. The deflection chamber constitutes a sort of single fold accordionstructure which collapses readily when the earphone is put on, so as toaccommodate the earphone structure to a wider range of head sizevariations. The structure shown in Fig. 7 is otherwise similar to thatshown in the previous modifications and will not be further described.

Fig. 8

This figure illustrates an accessory which is in conventional use withother types of earphone supports and which may be used if desired inconnection with the earphone of the present invention. This accessoryconsists simply of a doughnut-shaped pad 16 which encircles the shell 8.This pad serves to attenuate some sound waves from external sources andalso may serve to absorb shocks due to relative movement between thehelmet 1 and the wearers ear.

Figs. 9 and 10 These figures illustrate a modified form of ourinvention, in which the earphone is supported closer to the ear of thelistener than in the modifications previously described. In thismodification, there is also provided mechanism for adjusting the spacingbetween the helmet or other support and the shell structure whichengages the listeners ear.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a housing 17 including a bodyportion 17a having a recess 17b adapted to receive a sound emitter. Onits end nearest the helmet the body portion 17a is provided with alongitudinally collapsible portion which terminates in a projectingcircular collar 17d. The collapsible portion 17c not only serves toaccommodate movements of the wearers head with respect to the helmet,but also serves as an enclosure for a sound barrier chamber similar infunction to the chamber 6d of Fig. 3.

A mounting plate 18 is provided for supporting the housing 17 on ahelmet. The mounting plate 18 is similar in function to the mountingplate 9 of Fig. 2, and may be provided with similar means (not shown inFig. 9) for attaching it to the helmet. The plate 18 is provided with acentral aperture encircled by a flange 18a whose external diameter issubstantially the same as the internal diameter of the collar 170. onthe housing 17. The housing 17 and plate 18 are preferably made ofmolded rubber or some similar material and the plate 18 is provided witha bonded cloth covering. When so constructed, the collar 17dfrictionally engages the flange 18a, so that it will remain in anyposition to which it is adjusted. The collar 17d may be rotatedangularly on the flange 18a and it may also be moved axially along thatflange. The housing 17 is thereby made adjustable not only angularly butlongitudinally with respect to the supporting helmet. If desired,suitable fastening means may be provided on the collar 17d and flange18a, for attaching these parts firmly after an adjustment is completed.

The end of the housing 17 nearest the listeners ear is provided with aprojecting shell portion 19, generally similar to the shell 8 of Figs. 1to 3. The shell 19 is provided on its outer surface with reinforcingribs 19a which have curvatures in three dimensions, so that theirprojections on a plane perpendicular to the axis of the housing 17 arespirals, as illustrated in Fig. 10. These curved ribs provide a somewhatstitfer structure than the ribs 8a of Fig. 3. The face of the shell 19nearest the listeners ear is provided with a recess to receive acovering 20 of leather or other similar fabric, which provides a bettersound absorbing surface than the molded rubber of the shell 19. Thecovering 20 thereby reduces to a negligible minimum any internalreflections and echoes which might distort the sound from the emitter.

The recess 17b is provided with apertures 21 for the insertion ofelectrical terminal plugs. Four such apertures 21 are provided,extending outwardly through bosses 22 which project from the outersurface of the housing 17. Only the two apertures 21 on one side areactually used for electrical connections on any particular earphonehousing. The housing is provided with two bosses 22 and apertures 21 oneach side so that any housing may be used on either the right or leftside of the head. As constructed, the apertures 21 do not extendcompletely through the bosses 22, but terminate at thin walls 21a attheir outer ends, as seen on the left hand bosses in Fig. 10. The walls21a on one side only are then pierced to allow insertion of theelectrical connections.

While We have shown and described what we now consider to be preferredembodiments of our invention in accordance with the applicable statutes,numerous other embodiments will be suggested to one skilled in the artand our disclosure is to be considered as illustrative only and not aslimiting our invention in any way.

We claim:

1. In an earphone, a housing having a portion adapted to receive a soundemitter and a hollow flexible shell attached to said housing andencircling said portion, said shell projecting generally divergentlyfrom said housing to an extremity having a periphery contoured toencircle a listeners ear, said periphery being adapted to engageflexibly the head of the listener about the ear so as to enclosesubstantially completely the space between the sound emitter and theear, said shell having integral stifiening ribs curved in threedimensions and extending along the outer surface of the shell.

2. An earphone, comprising a housing including a body portion having arecess adapted to receive a sound emitter, said recess being open atleast at one side corresponding to a sound emitting side of the emitter,means including a supporting portion of said housing for supporting saidbody portion with said open side of the recess in alignment with the earof the listener but spaced therefrom, said body supporting meansincluding a mounting structurally separate from the housing, saidhousing having a hollow flexible shell portion mounted on said bodyportion and encircling the open side of said recess, said shell portionprojecting divergently from said body portion to an extremity having aperiphery contoured to encircle the listeners ear, and means foradjusting the position of the shell toward and away from the ear withrespect to the mounting, so that the periphery of the shell portionengages flexibly the head of the listener about the ear, so as toenclose substantially completely the space between the emitter and theear.

3. Earphone apparatus comprising a helmet having a portion adapted toextend over the ear of a wearer, means inside the helmet and attachedthereto for supporting it on the head of a wearer with the inner surfaceof said portion spaced from the wearers ear, a housing having a recessadapted to receive a sound emitter, means supporting said housing on theinside of said portion of the helmet in a position to align the emitterwith the wearers ear when the helmet is supported on the wearers head,said housing including a hollow flexible shell projecting inwardly ofthe helmet to an extremity having a periphery adapted to engage thewearers head about the ear, so as to enclose substantially completelythe space between the sound emitter and the ear, said housing supportingmeans including a support member, cooperating detachable connectors onsaid support member and said helmet, and a frictionally rotatableconnection between said housing and said support member to permitangular adjustment of the housing and shell with respect to the helmetto accommodate different angular relationships between the helmet andthe wearers head.

4. Earphone apparatus as defined in claim 3, including an outer flexiblewall cooperating with said shell to form a generally closed chamberextending around the periphery of said shell throughout a major portionof the distance between the housing and the shell extremity, saidchamber being effective to attenuate sound waves from external sources.

5. Earphone apparatus as defined in claim 4, in which said outer wallhas at least one pressure equalizing vent connecting said chamber andthe atmosphere.

6. Earphone apparatus as defined in claim 3, in which said shell has atleast one vent effective to equalize the pressure in said enclosed spacewith that of the ambient atmosphere.

7. Earphone apparatus as defined in claim 6, including a plurality ofvibrissa-like filaments projecting from the shell into said vent.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D.42,295 Pape Mar. 12, 1912 1,367,746 Kent Feb. 8, 1921 1,426,340 AagardAug. 22, 1922 1,479,017 Timmons Jan. 1, 1924 2,336,669 Brown et a1 Dec.14, 1943 2,468,267 Mondl Apr. 26, 1949 2,468,721 Volkmann Apr. 26, 19492,529,562 Martin Nov. 14, 1950 2,538,419 Huston et a1 Jan. 16, 19512,619,639 Hendler Dec. 2, 1952 2,629,095 Kleinman Feb. 24, 1953 FOREIGNPATENTS 219,081 Great Britain July 17, 1924

